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I have just booked for 27th March, absolutely terrified now! I have been reading up for a couple of years but suddenly feel totally overwhelmed and unprepared. Worried about complications post sleeve, heartburn, leaks and not being healthy for my kids. I have 50lb to lose (it used to be more but I have been healthy eating the last few years), just need a more permanent tool to help me stay consistent. I am UK based but travelling to Turkey for surgery. Its all I think about and I go from wanting it doing asap to wanting to cancel!

This is great advice! I was just saying in another thread how I was going between being excited and saying 'what have I gotten myself into'. Attitude is EVERYTHING and I also think if you are doing everything they tell you to do, then that goes a long way toward minimizing complications. I say let's rock this out people!

I had a lap band placed 3 years ago. At the time of surgery I weighed 407 pounds I am currently 295 pounds. Yes the band did work it wasn’t magic. I did have a lot of complications. After the first year all my complications started to happen. I threw up every day for the past 3 years. I was constantly sick and some days couldn’t even hold down water. I am currently 5 days post op from my revision. I had the band removed and had the bypass. During the operation my surgeon said my stomach had begun to grown around the band and was very difficult to remove. Yes the band does work to a certain point but in my opinion if you are going to go threw all the pain of having wls go for something more effective!

Yup, I was the same way. The surgeon recommended RNY, but left the decision to me for that very reason. My reflux has been bad and was getting worse and when I read that the sleeve may aggravate the problem, it was then a no brainer for me. Hey, is anyone else oscillating between being very excited to 'what the heck am I doing'? That's why I love coming on this site at times, although when I read about some other's complications, I get nervous again...

The best piece of advice I can give is to go in positive. Don't assume you'll have complications. Yes we hear from the people who have issues and are in pain, tired, etc. But that's because they're feeling bad and want help and support. What we tend not to see is the other 98% of us where everything went off without a hitch. I walked and walked and drank a ton of fluids and was home from RNY within one day and in no pain within 4-5 days. At 5 weeks out I am jogging, light weight training, and basically back to or better than normal. Go in thinking you're going to rock this and nothing is going to stop you and you're going to walk and sip fluids and kick the surgery's ass. And do it. Move. Drink. Repeat. Also, hydrate like a camel the day before surgery. Literally like a gallon or more. My surgeon swears by this because people who go on hydrated tend to do better. Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

WLS allows for a metabolic reset of your fat storage/energy system. It allows your body chemistry (super complicated) to defend a lower set-point, but google Dr. Matthew Weiner on The YouTube and watch all of his videos and you will learn about it. Unlike what @VIN_IN_AL says, my program (major university) told me no caloric threshold for calories. My real advice (RNY) was to get 60-80g of lean, dense, low fat protein in daily from as many sources as possible for diversification, to eat 1-2 bites of low glycemic veggies, and don't eat much fat--but if I did, to use tiny bits of healthy fat. And to get in 64oz water + daily vitamins. Beyond that, they were fully aware that during WLM (weight loss mode) I averaged between 650-850 calories per day and my sweet spot seemed to be something like 750cals. The doctor and my RD never said a word about it, nor did either encourage me to artificially inflate my calories because of some mythical theoretical mumbo jumbo just to hit some "magic threshold" to prevent "starvation mode" (a myth). I hit first goal at around 8-9months despite having a crapton of metabolic issues and shortcomings including being on a cancer drug that shuts down my hormones and causes weight gain in most people. (See the rest in my signature). I'm now maintaining at 131lbs this morning at 1100 cals average. That means preferentially some days I eat 700-800 cals per day (3 days per week) and some days I eat as much as 1400-1500 cals per day depending on appetite or what I'm doing. Over the week it averages to about 1100 cals. I'm not in starvation. My vitamin status at two years is fabulous and there ya have it.

I am 1 yr post OP from having my gallbladder removed and the severe sepsis that i endured and almost ended my life all because of the poison that happened from my gallbladder going rouge. My 51 year old brother's wife just died from sepsis! That is serious! If you do not feel well and have pain do not ignore it! I thought it was just a complication from my ByPass surgery but it was so much more. It has taken a year to feel better and I still have a lot of days that I do not feel very good, but much better than when I was admitted to UPMC hospital last year. Thank GOD for UPMC they saved my life twice. Once with my Bariatric operation which cured my kidney disease and then with curing my sepsis.

Oh no! I am so sorry you're feeling so bad. I would definitely call the surgeon and tell him how you're feeling, you probably definitely need fluids. And they can give you medication to manage spasms and nausea. I never had any complications so can't give you personal experience but I do think your surgeon will know best ! I hope you feel better soon! Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I worried about WLS too... but it was the best decision for me. Honestly, I think removing most of your stomach has less complications than lap band and is safer. And sleeve has a better outcome. And many people regain the weight as soon as they remove the lap band. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Omg! Sweetie!! Well wishes for you. Yes download the Batiatric pal app. I hope you start to feeling better. Did they say the complications was from the previous RNY? I have heard after about 11+ years they are finding quite a bit complications occurring? Do you have people at home that can help you through this time?

You guys. Wow. Thank you for the responses. I mentioned earlier that we have other marriage problems... most of our marriage (since I was pregnant with #1 so 8 years at least) has been fighting about beer/drinking and also his weight gain/unhealthy life choices. I realized last year that he was early stage alcoholic, he uses it for coping with stress from a high power job. Didn’t know what being an alcoholic really meant until I educated myself and once I figured it out I was done (another story for another day). Once I realized this I was very clear, quit or we are getting divorced. Through a few ups and downs the last few months he’s admitted he has an alcohol addiction and had quit. But this has to also go hand and hand with the weight gain. The two have been so intertwined. I feel bad for him, I want to help him and I’ve told him for a long time that I want him to get healthy so he can be around for the kids and me. ugh this is so complicated. Sorry to spill here. My life is complicated. I go to therapy myself and we’ve gone together as well. So much therapy. I worry that if he decides on WLS it will only be to save our marriage and I don’t know if that’s a good enough reason to do it, I don’t want him unhappy with his decision and ending up making things worse. yes, I also think deep down he’s depressed and I pray he works through that with his therapist. so I guess I support him if he decides to look more into WLS. We have a consultation tomorrow so I guess I’ll learn more there.

TGIF DS comrades! Just home from the hospital yesterday after a week in the hospital. RNY 13 years ago was successfully laparoscopic and I was home on my treadmill the next day. Not so with the DS. Multiple complications, 5.5 hour surgery plus other procedures, severe blood loss, a drain out my side and a 13” incision from above my breastbone to my pubic bone, as well as a several severe intestine/colon-related issues. I planned on 3 days in the hospital and ended up with 6-8 weeks out of work. I am scared, I can barely function right now, let alone keep track of the 8 million rules about water, protein and vitamin intake. Just looking for some support from anyone who has been through this! Many thanks and sending you all warm wishes today and always! PS: Is there an app for this forum for easier access?

most surgeons refuse to do the lapband anymore because of all the complications with it - so I'm surprised you've found several surgeons who still do it in your area. Also, I've never heard of anyone having one placed and then taken out a year later. Ten years maybe, but then only because of complications. I think they were originally meant to last permanently. the new balloon thing is supposed to be a temporary thing that's removed after so many months - or a year - but with 100 lbs to lose, I don't think this would be ideal. But that might be another option to consider if he wants something that's removable. edited to add that sorry if this came across as harsh. I just hadn't heard of this before. I'd be curious to hear what the surgeon says. Keep us posted!

I'm surprised you found a surgeon who's willing to do the lapband. Most have abandoned this surgery because so many people had complications from it. The sleeve has largely replaced it as an alternative to the bypass.

Dr. Lytle is an AMAZING Dr!! You will love him and his staff at Bariatric Innovations of Atlanta! He is kind, compassionate and very honest about everything from beginning to end! He is quick with responding to any questions you have at any time. The entire staff is friendly and helpful. They truly saved my life emotionally. I have had no problems at all getting in contact with the nutritionist, or Dr. Lytle for any follow-up care needed over the phone. They will work with your local doctors as well, being that you are out of state. I have NO complications from surgery, he is very careful and thorough. I am 6 months out. Good luck with your upcoming surgery, you are in excellent hands. I hope this helps. PS since we will be surgeon sisters, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I’m very happy for you!

I know DS is more complicated to operate, but I am less worried it. I am 5 yrs post sleeve and gaimed back half of the loss in the last year. Feel bad. Look bad. Domt feel good about myself. Am considering resleeve or DS revision and I am only worried but Vitamin deficiency with DS. It looks like a more suatainable option. I am worried about future ability to take regular pills when I am old and need them. Worried about mulabsorbtion of minerals. Can you please she your life stories after DS and your experience with the above issues. Im a male 51 years old

I’m almost 6 months post sleeve and I’ve had zero complications! I did not have gerd prior to surgery either.

good luck finding a surgeon who'll do it. Most refuse to place lapbands any more. Way too many complications, and many people who had them have since revised to sleeve or bypass.

My surgeon will not do bands and neither of my hospitals will do them now. There were just too many complications and the results were not that great. Many resulted in follow up revision surgery. How much weight do you need to lose?

I'm so sorry. I didn't realize U replied. I need to see if there are notifications for this app. Yes most of the waiting for me was being able to get appts with The other Doctors. I'm soooo nervous. My surgery is on Tuesday. I need to stày off some of the FB groups bcuz some of the horrible complication stories are making me 2nd guess my decision. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My surgery was robotically assisted. I was thrilled when I found out - more “arms” able to work, better visibility by the doctor, and let’s face it, human arms are pretty dang fallible. Everything went great - no complications. The first week post-op was rough, but that’s just because it’s major surgery.

I’ll try and keep this as brief as possible. Sorry if I rant on and on. As I went from 240 lbs to 390 lbs between 2009-2019 I slowly hid myself away from friends and family. The truth is I was in denial about how bad things were getting and I was embarrassed. I was ashamed of how I couldn’t keep up with my friends just walking around the city or fitting into booths at restaurants for family milestones. I was out of breath walking into work from the parking lot. I felt like if I could avoid these things in front of other people, if other people couldn’t confirm how limited I had become, it somehow made it less true. I have missed SO many adventures and huge important events in my loved ones lives simply because I was physically unable. This hurts my heart. In 2018 I ditched a good friend’s bachelorette weekend out of town because I was so anxious about how I wouldn’t be able to keep up with everyone. Like literally I could not walk around and I felt ridiculous going to clubs with girls wearing their best outfits and me in an oversized T-shirt. By that point I couldn’t stand for 5 mins without my lower back screaming. Our friendship has not been the same since. I have always thought that was the turning point in our friendship. Now fast forward to late 2019. I happened to be invited to another good friend’s bachelorette weekend. This is a friend I met in college and we were so close we lived together for a couple of years. This is also when my depression/weight gain really got bad. I did my best to hide it, but I’m sure it was obvious. Over the last 7 years I have make excuses to avoid meeting up with her because she is so active. I even prayed she wouldn’t ask me to be a bridesmaid. How sad is that? I really didn’t think I could make it through the dress shopping bit. Pre-surgery I was 390 lbs and a size 26. This friend has run the NYC marathon and I was at least 220 lbs heavier than any other girl in her friend circle. When I was invited on the bachelorette weekend I immediately thought of ways to get out of it. I told one of the maids of honor that I didn’t think it would be a good idea since it was still early after surgery and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel. Well it’s been almost 5 months and I’ve been so lucky to have zero complications. My mobility is much better too. I am also sober by choice. I was never a big drinker anyways. I partied pretty hard as a teen so by the time I got to college I was somewhat past that phase. It doesn’t make me feel good and now with a sleeve I feel like alcohol serves me no purpose. Anyways what I am looking for is real honest advice. I feel immense guilt over declining this invite. I have thought about how I would feel if I was my friend. I could see how she would be upset or disappointed. Am I wrong to not go? I don’t drink and I’m trying so hard to stick to my diet. I know if I really wanted to I could make it work. I don’t want people to tell me what I want to hear. I guess I just want someone to say they understand what I’m saying and feeling. I don’t have anyone in my family or friends that are even overweight. I feel like no one can relate. Has anyone else been through this? Did things get better as you lost weight?

The very first time I felt the full impact of my weight loss was when I began to have A LOT more energy for tasks and activities I had long dropped because of fatigue. Walking long distances became pleasurable again and I encouraged others (mostly my thin & lazy teen kids) to join me. I believe it was around 190lbs (down ~60lbs) Next was when my super attractive Surgical PA said he wasn't worried about me or my progress, I was at the proper weight for my frame and I looked *amazing*. I could tell he really meant it by the way he gushed over my results. That was around 160lbs (down 90lbs) Another time, I was waiting in my surgeon's office about to discuss revision (from VSG to RNY to solve a few complications) and a prospective patient kept staring. Hard. He eventually asked me if i was waiting with/for someone and I told him no just my surgeon. I thought he was trying to *pick me up* but in fact he was confused that I needed to see a surgeon & was a WLS patient because i didn't look like it. (I've heard these types of comments several times) Two final events sealed the deal for me: My Bariatric surgeon and I decided revision to RNY was the best course of action for me but he DID NOT want me to lose anymore weight. He was adamant that I was at the right size and was already small enough at 155lbs & 5'3". (The revision went well and I'm maintaining in the 150s as promised.) Finally, I had Plastic surgery. At the Preop workup, I was discussing my plan with the surgeon. I wanted a Mommy Makeover- breast augmentation, Tummy Tuck and Brazilian Butt Lift. I wanted lipo on my back to transfer fat to my buttocks. He informed me that there wasn't much fat to lipo and it was excess skin that needed to be removed (instead I would need skin removal - a back lift and *maybe* after we could lipo my inner thighs for fat grafting.) He manually lifted the skin to prove it. I was shocked because I thought for certain it was excess fat but apparently I have thicker skin in certain areas. ****************************************** I took the long way round just to say that there were many incremental (progress) points that help me view myself differently/adequately and not just one defining Aha! moment. For sure outside validation played it's role and luckily I became receptive to complements instead of misanthropic because of society's new level of interaction with me (nicer, more welcoming) However, I'm unsure if I would have ever believed anyone's comments if I didn't begin to feel & see the change on my own first. Being kind, loving and accepting myself at every single stage of weight loss, instead of just at goal, really helped me. Good Luck ❤

Feb 14. 7 days. Much better than yesterday Best of luck and I send speedy wellness and no complications.

My therapist and I are working on coping mechanisms that I can use to both distract myself and use to replace the mental things that my brain tries to do to me. It's just nice to know that I'm not alone, ya know? Journaling has been the best thing for me since starting all this... writing down and getting those "demons" personified so I have something to basically wanna punch when I can exercise again lol. I'm also looking into some of those books, @PollyEster They seemed pretty interesting from the previews I read. And @AJ Tylo, it's been great getting out and wandering. I was cooped up in the house so long recovering from my complications and gallbladder surgery that I forgot how nice it is just to pace around a grocery store. That was a great idea. ❤️